Grace Hopper Celebration Cancelled

It is with deep regret that we are announcing the cancellation of this year’s Grace Hopper Celebration in Anaheim, CA.

This is not a decision we made lightly; we understand it leaves many of our community disappointed. It is a function of not having the funds required to move forward with the Celebration, unlike in years past. Unlike past events, this year, both individual registrations and sponsorship commitments came in significantly below our expectations and, ultimately, below the level needed to cover critical operating expenses.

We know this decision affects far more than an event. Many of you have made travel arrangements, booked hotels, received visas, secured time away from work, organized teams, and planned important moments around being together. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this creates.

If you have plans to attend GHC, please take the following steps now:

• Cancel or modify your airline, train, or other travel reservations directly with your travel provider.
• Cancel hotel reservations made independently directly with the hotel or booking provider, and any other reservations or commitments connected to your trip.
• Information regarding GHC registration, sponsorships, exhibitor commitments, and other financial matters will be communicated directly to the individuals and organizations affected. AnitaB.org will contact registrants about registration fees by October 26. We recognize that each person’s circumstances may be different.
• For questions or assistance specifically related to the cancellation, please contact [GHC@AnitaB.org]. We ask that you use this address so we can centralize inquiries and respond as effectively as possible.

To our attendees, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, partners, and everyone who has invested in making Grace Hopper Celebration possible: we are profoundly grateful, and profoundly sorry.

GHC has always been about more than a place or a moment on the calendar. It is about a community that has spent decades opening doors, expanding opportunity, and making sure women technologists have a voice in shaping the future of technology.

GHC has been central to our mission, and the circumstances leading to its cancellation have adversely affected our finances. We are evaluating strategic alternatives and the type of programming we can offer in the future. I anticipate further announcements will be made in the coming weeks as we gain greater clarity on key variables.

Brenda Darden Wilkerson

President & CEO

AnitaB.org